The roll call of influencers across the security and fire industries is broken down into seven categories – which you can click on below to reveal the final rankings.

We defined ‘influence’ in the following ways:

Someone who has played a key role in driving technological innovation

Someone who has been a driving force in changing regulation, standards/guidance or best practice

Someone whose insights/opinions are widely respected and which are influential in shaping debate around industry issues

Someone who has been instrumental in the success of the organisation or business they lead or are employed by

Someone who has helped to raise the industry’s profile or been an influential voice in the national media

We’d like to thank Grant Lecky, co-founder of the Security Partners Forum, for his tireless efforts as lead judge. Lecky, who himself featured in IFSEC Global’s list of top influencers in 2014 and 2017, appointed the panel of judges (which you can also view below) and coordinated the nominations and judging process. Thanks also to Bonnie Butlin, also co-founder of the Security Partners Forum and number one in last year’s international thought leader rankings, for helping to coordinate the process.

You can network with some of the influencers during a meet-and-greet session during IFSEC International, 19-21 June 2018, ExCeL London – between 4-5pm on Wednesday 20 June in the ASIS Lounge.

IFSEC Global security & fire influencers 2018 – the other categories

System design, installation & integration influencers

6. Jonathan Wakerley, founder & group MD, BusinessWatch Group

Jonathan started BusinessWatch in 1993, initially in the home security market and gradually building the business to encompass the commercial sector. In his role at BusinessWatch, he works with major suppliers, feeding back customer requirements and his own product ideas to influence future product functionality and development. Said to have an “avid interest in product functionality” he “enables suppliers to enhance existing products and develop new products for market that are specifically geared towards fulfilling customer requirements.”

He was recently been appointed to the IFSEC Advisory Board, which meets to discuss the issues that fire and security installers most care about. He takes an active role in the apprenticeship programme at BusinessWatch, “engaging with apprentices, identifying their strengths and helping them develop their specific skills and abilities to become the security engineers of tomorrow.” Ten percent of employees at BusinessWatch Group are apprentices – well above the governments’ target – “a fact Jonathan is fiercely proud of”.

“The dedication to both the business and the security sector shows the strength of character Jonathan has. He is tenacious, inspiring […] By inspiring young apprentices to join the industry, and nurturing them through the BusinessWatch apprenticeship programme to become the next generation of engineers we so desperately need in the sector, he shows his dedication and commitment to the industry. In short, Jonathan lives and breathes fire and security and deserves to be recognised for his devotion to industry!”

5. Paul Schelhaas, CEO & founder, Sunstone Systems IP

Paul has turned Sunstone into a multi-million pound global designer, manufacturer and supplier of solar powered security systems. He was instrumental in the design and innovation of Sunstone Systems IP Solar IP CCTV System and as such could easily have been included on the tech leaders list too. As it is, he’s a worthy inclusion in this list because Sunstone has won plaudits for the quality of its installations, notably in remote locations and extreme weather conditions.

Running entirely on renewable energy, the IP Solar IP CCTV System enables CCTV, Gas Detection and many other solutions within minutes of arriving on site. The unit is designed, engineered and built in the UK, and “really does fly the flag for British innovation” in the words of one of many admirers.

Sunstone won won Project of the Year at the Security & Fire Excellence Awards for the successful deployment of the Solar IP CCTV System in Kazakhstan for Chevron for the Tengiz oilfield in Kazakhstan and in the UK for Highways England. It also triumphed in the Small to Medium Security Installer of the Year category.

One of Sunstone’s admirer’s wrote: “This gives them a security system which flexible, especially in the construction environment, as systems can be moved to monitor workers or assets. Also, this system can be adapted to provide wireless backhaul, which means the SICS can extend their wireless network into remote areas and connect buildings (or well heads) for data transmission or surveillance.”

“Great inventor, great CEO, Great company leader. He believes in his company, in his products and in his employees. Its a pleasure to work for such an up and coming company at the beginning of its very long and successful journey

“Paul has transformed a small UK business into a recognized reliable international security partner for one of the largest oil companies in the world bringing a British-made quality, innovative and nature-friendly product to different parts of the world. […] unafraid to redefine what is possible, deserves to be recognised as a trailblazer, and rewarded for the positive effect of the risks he has taken.

“Paul’s entrepreneurial spirit allows him to stand out from the crowd. He is leading the security industry to change the way products are developed. […] Always focuses on the exact needs of the clients and finds solutions that are not over-engineered but are robust enough to operate in harsh and challenging environments. […] Despite the massive growth and development of the business he has retained ownership and leadership of a committed team of employees. He is passionate about innovation and solution-focused in all his approaches. […] His ideas are changing the way large organisations think about meeting their security needs.”

With Paul Schelhaas Simon Legrand has turned Sunstone into a multi-million pound global designer, manufacturer and supplier of solar powered security systems. He was instrumental in the design and innovation of Sunstone Systems IP Solar IP CCTV System and as such could easily have been included on the tech leaders list too. As it is, he’s a worthy inclusion in this list because Sunstone has won plaudits for the quality of its installations, notably in remote locations and extreme weather conditions.

Running entirely on renewable energy, the IP Solar IP CCTV System enables CCTV, Gas Detection and many other solutions within minutes of arriving on site. The unit is designed, engineered and built in the UK, and “really does fly the flag for British innovation” in the words of one of many admirers.

Sunstone won won Project of the Year at the Security & Fire Excellence Awards for the successful deployment of the Solar IP CCTV System in Kazakhstan for Chevron for the Tengiz oilfield in Kazakhstan and in the UK for Highways England. It also triumphed in the Small to Medium Security Installer of the Year category.

One of Sunstone’s admirer’s wrote: “This gives them a security system which flexible, especially in the construction environment, as systems can be moved to monitor workers or assets. Also, this system can be adapted to provide wireless backhaul, which means the SICS can extend their wireless network into remote areas and connect buildings (or well heads) for data transmission or surveillance.”

“Simon and Sunstone continuously take real world issues and reinvent innovative solutions. They are a ‘can do’ organisation and Simon is particularly responsive to all manner of enquiries and discussions, both in person and via social media. Simon and Sunstone certainly raise the bar when it comes to forward thinking service within the security sector – a highly recommended organisation!

“Great inventor, great director and leader. He believes in his company, in his products and in his employees. Its a pleasure to work for such an up and coming company at the beginning of its very long and successful journey. […] He not only manages the marketing, he also supports in every aspect of the business. He really commits time and energy to ensuring success. […]

“Inspirational leader, exceptional communicator and spokesperson for the business. Proven time and time again that he has a talent for spreading the company message far and wide; it is through his hard work that Sunstone IP Systems is known from the United Kingdom to Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia to Algeria.

“From notion to end product, Simon’s vision for addressing the security shortcomings in the remote surveillance market has seen the manufacture of an innovative and quality product that has engaged industry globally and enhanced its security resilience in consequence.”

3. David Scott, curriculum & quality leader, built environment and security systems, New College Lanarkshire

David has been involved at Motherwell college since 2011, when he became a lecturer in security engineering aged only 23, and is now Curriculum & Quality Manager for the section, responsible for over 350 students and approximately 20 staff. When he started out the apprenticeship programme had 30 apprentices enrolled on the MA programme and David has been instrumental in the programme’s growth to 162 apprentices in the last intake. Not only does this make it the largest provider of the Modern Apprenticeship in the UK but means the college has more apprentices than the whole of England put together.

David has developed two further courses to address the chronic skills shortage in the industry, including the first-ever Adult Apprenticeship programme for existing but unqualified installers. David has submitted an application World Skills to have Fire and Security in future competitions – something seen by thousands of school children each year. In the last six months David has delivered talks at five local schools and invited three for open days to play with the equipment and learn more about the industry. He has completed charitable projects where students at the NCL have completed CCTV installations for local charities to improve their security and make them feel safer. David also set up the first ever skills competition in Scotland, promoted by CSL DualCom, NSI, SSAIB and the BSIA as good practice and “something that should be done throughout the UK” according to one person who nominated him.

David has championed the the apprenticeship programme on an NSI Summit panel on apprenticeships, through a PSI interview and BSIA AGM as a guest speaker.

“He often offers his own time to develop the qualification, attend events like the NSI Summit, BSIA AGM and IFSEC to promote the apprenticeship programme.

“David has not only continued to improve the apprenticeship programme by developing innovative teaching materials, driving quality and ensuring partnerships with leading industry bodies are key to the success of the programme. Over the last year David has built relationships with the likes of Texecom (£2500 donation), Risco (training and £1000 donation), CSL (training and materials) and Hikvision (£5,000 donation).

“David has been instrumental in the success of the apprenticeship in Scotland. As a past winner in 2011 of the Engineers of Tomorrow competition, he is an advocate for training, competition and the fire and security industry. Nothing is too much for David and continuously works tirelessly and without complaint to improve both the apprentices experience at college and the standard of engineer working in the fire and security industry.”

2. Patrick Biggin, head of research & innovation, Design Automator

Patrick Biggin was – until January 2018 –head of IT at QCIC Group, which designs and maintains phases of security engineering and design.

Patrick is now head of research and innovation at Design Automator, whose eponymous solution was Patrick’s creation. Design Automator is a SaaS solution for the security services industry that automates the engineering process. He has been involved from conception to leading a team of six software developers and taking Design Automator to market.

Patrick attended Staffordshire University, UK and received a BSc Honours Degree in Internet Technology. He began his career as a developer and consultant. He then moved to a security integrator assisting projects with commissioning, integrations, software configurations and project engineering. Patrick joined QCIC in 2015 as Senior Security Consultant.

Patrick has published his views on the disruptive potential of automation in the security industry in the UK’s City Security Magazine (Summer 17).

“With Design Automator, Patrick has led his team to address untapped opportunities in the Security industry for computer-enabled automation of system programming. Initially designed to automate the programming of access control systems, it now applies the same principles of automation to other systems within the built environment. The thread that binds it all is ‘automation’, and Patrick has helped not only his own team, but partners and clients globally, to realise the potential of automation in minimising human error, speeding up the implementation of new security systems, and freeing up security teams to focus on less mundane and more challenging tasks.

“Creating [at QCIC Group] game changing solutions with his broad vision and vast experience on the domain. Patrick works tirelessly to transform the security industry through the innovative application of technology to solve business challenges. Patrick’s approach not only has the capacity to drive change in the way security in buildings is implemented, but has led to the creation of Design Automator. When all around us automation seems to be defining progress in other industries (transport, for instance), the Security industry needs people like Patrick who recognise the benefits automation can bring and who can convince others of these benefits. Patrick is evidently well-respected amongst his colleagues and industry partners alike, and my colleagues and I feel he should be recognised for his contribution towards the furtherance of the Security industry.”

1. Phil Aronson, CEO & president, Aronson Security Group

Phil Aronson is President and CEO of Aronson Security Group (ASG). After starting his career in the computer industry, Phil joined ASG in 1983, and became President in 1989. As a 2nd generation owner, Phil has been through every evolution in the industry. He has demonstrated leadership in redefining the role of a service provider in the risk, resilience and security industry.

The concept of a rigorous methodology for the deployment of projects and programs led to the development of the ASG Path to Value. The concept of a collaborative network of subject matter experts all working together under the ASG Path to Value led to the ASG Global Security Network. The concept of an expanded definition of risk management and planning of technology deployments led to the Advanced Integration Services (AIS) team and the Professional Services Group.

Finally, he saw the move by security executive thought leaders to an Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) philosophy and methodology. This inspired him to invest in the hiring of a Chief Security Officer that would lead the formation of the Enterprise Security Risk Group (eSRG). This group leads the effort to provide Security Risk Management Services (SRMS) to ASG clients worldwide.

Phil has led the integrator community to a new level. He has created a concept of Technology Solution Provider focused at understanding the risks, cultural and footprint of a company and designing technology solutions to fit the company’s environment.